How long does it take for IPL to be effective?

Author: Nikita Dickens  |  Last update: Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Some skin improvement starts within a few days of IPL treatment, but the complete effects may take weeks to appear. Treatments usually need to be repeated over a period of months for maximum benefit.

How long after IPL will I see results?

Results from an IPL are gradual. You typically won't see improvement right away, the soonest you will start seeing positive change in the skin is 7-10 days post treatment (after the skin has fully healed and the darkening spots have sloughed off).

How to tell if an IPL is working?

You will notice that the hair growth after four weeks of IPL treatment will be lesser and thinner. After completing a session of 12 weeks, the hair growth will reduce completely, providing you with silky, smooth skin for a longer time. However, you may have to continue touch-ups as needed.

How long does it take for an IPL to kick in?

When the IPL device pulses light into your skin, it converts into heat, breaking down pigment and stimulating collagen production. While some changes may be visible right away, the real results typically take 4 to 6 weeks to fully develop.

Why am I not seeing results from IPL?

Answer: IPL procedures can be underpowered It sounds like you may have had too low of a power setting on your IPL OR the IPL that was used is not able to deliver enough power. It is very important to discern your Fitzpatrick skin type and then set the laser accordingly so you will A.

IPL LASER FOR PIGMENTATION | The Beauty Surfer | Dark Spots removal

How can I speed up my IPL results?

After your IPL treatments you should do the following: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: Your skin may be drier than usual after treatment, so apply a gentle moisturizer frequently to combat excessive dryness. By keeping your skin hydrated, you can speed up the healing process and see results more quickly.

Does IPL sometimes not work?

If you've found yourself wondering, “Why is IPL not working on my hair” it could be due to your skin and hair type. IPL can be challenging to use for certain individuals,4 so it's important to know what skin types will achieve the best IPL experience: IPL works best on light, untanned skin.

How long does it take for capillaries to disappear after IPL?

As a general rule, the smaller the capillaries, the quicker they are to clear up. Typically, you won't start seeing results until two to four weeks after the first treatment, as it can take the body's lymphatic system that long to remove the dead material.

Is it OK to do IPL more than once a week?

We know you're SO excited to experience permanent hair removal, but we do not recommend using your device more than twice per week. Using IPL every day may result in irritation – and it won't work as well, anyway!

Which is better, IPL or microneedling?

IPL Photofacial is More Effective at Treating Melasma

Microneedling, on the other hand, promotes collagen production, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles—but it's not as effective at treating melasma.

How to make IPL more effective?

For best results, IPL treatments should be repeated every fortnight, up to six times. You will start to see results after the third treatment. A treatment schedule can help you maintain this rhythm. This is especially helpful if you're treating different areas of your body.

Can I overuse an IPL?

Overusing an IPL device is a major no-no. It can lead to side effects that range from minor irritation to long-term skin damage.

Why does IPL take so long to work?

However, the full results may take several weeks or even months to become visible. This is because IPL works by targeting the underlying structures of the skin, such as collagen and blood vessels, and stimulating the body's natural healing processes.

What are the black dots after IPL?

What Are the Black Dots? The small black dots you may notice post-laser treatment are often referred to as “pepper spots” or “hair cast”. Essentially, they are tiny remnants of hair follicles that remain trapped in the skin as your body works to expel them.

Does IPL tighten skin?

While IPL is especially useful for reducing pigmentation in the skin, the heat it generates can stimulate cell turnover and collagen production in the skin. This can have the effect of tightening areas of loose, crepey or lax skin and smoothing fine wrinkles.

Do I need numbing cream for IPL?

An IPL treatment takes about 10 minutes to perform. It will feel like little hot pinches on your skin. Sometimes patients are given a numbing cream to apply to their face for 20 – 30 minutes prior to the treatment to lessen any discomfort.

Can you use IPL on pubic hair?

First things first, let's answer a pressing question: can you use IPL on the bikini area safely? Yes, you can! That is, as long as you have a device, like the Philips Lumea IPL 9000 Series, that has a specific attachment designed to work with the contours of this area of your body.

How much does IPL cost?

IPL session prices can vary widely, from about $200 to $1200 per session. This broad range is due to factors such as the size of the treatment area and the specific skin concerns being addressed. For example, a full-face treatment might cost more than targeting a smaller area like the hands or neck.

Does at home IPL actually work?

These studies proved that an IPL is a legitimate and useful light source for effective hair removal. Clinical results of the IPL for hair removal on darker skin types were also published, showing that with appropriate cut-off filters, the IPL can be used successfully in all skin types.

How can I speed up my IPL healing?

Speed up healing after IPL therapy: Use mild cleansers and moisturizers daily on your skin. Apply a sunscreen with a minimum of 30 SPF. This protects your skin from UVB and UVA rays.

How long does purging last after IPL?

In a typical case, the purging period will usually sit anywhere between two to six weeks. However, if you have a lot of closed comedones (which are those small bumps on the skin that are caused by blocked pores) it might take longer, this is why relying on a good exfoliant in your routine is key!

Will IPL get rid of broken capillaries?

Benefits Beyond Vein Reduction

In summary, IPL is a versatile and effective option for treating broken capillaries. It works by using light wavelengths to target blood vessels, causing them to shrink and fade with minimal discomfort.

How can I improve my IPL effectiveness?

Avoid sun exposure: Direct sunlight can increase the risk of complications and make the treatment less effective, especially when you're receiving IPL for sun damage. Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds before your session. IPL skin treatments work best on pale skin.

What happens if you do IPL too often?

Other than delayed results, using an IPL device too often can lead to: Skin Irritation: Frequent use can irritate the skin, causing redness or itching. Skin Burning: Daily use can lead to burns, especially for sensitive skin.

Does IPL leave stubble?

When using IPL, you'll need to shave less and less as your treatments go on. As the hair follicles will be empty, you'll notice fewer ingrown hairs and less stubble 'shadow'. IPL treatment helps to smooth out the texture of your skin, whereas waxing or threading can cause inflammation.

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